Governor's Daughter (A Mush Meyers Love Story)

Chapter 15: Big Happy Family

That Saturday, my father was having a big party at our house. It was his campaign party to get reelected as governor. My sister and I had to dress our best and entertain the young males of the party. Of course, the only person my sister had her eyes set on entertaining was John. They were becoming quite serious. I was brushing my hair, getting ready for the party when Jane came in.

                “Are you ok?” she asked, “I heard about what you had to do with that newsie.”

                “His name is Mush. And I’m fine. It wouldn’t have worked out anyway. We’re from two different worlds.” I sighed and went back to brushing my hair.

                “Maybe tonight you’ll meet your prince charming.”

                “I see you’ve already met yours.”

                “John? He’s sweet, but who knows what he thinks of me. You’re the one that has more promise to find love. You can find prince charming and walk into your happily ever after.”

                “It’s hard to find prince charming when he’s a pauper.” I sat my brush down. “I love Mush, Jane. I really do. But I can’t hurt him, I can’t hurt daddy. The papers are already spreading bad news about Daddy because of me.”

                Jane pulled up a chair next to me and sat down. She took one of my hands in hers. “Listen, Anna. You’ve always been the determined one. The one who was determined to be more than what society wanted from her. You’ve never been one to play by the rules. It would make sense that now you wouldn’t want to play by the rules either. Mother used to say you can’t help who you fall in love with, but if it’s someone who treats you right and loves you back, then it doesn’t matter of he’s rich or poor. What matters is that your love is strong enough to get through anything.”

                I wiped a tear from my face and hugged my sister. “Thank you, Jane. I love you.”

                “I love you too.” She pulled away from me. “Now finish getting ready. The guests should be here any minute now.”

                She walked out and I finished getting ready. In an hour, the party was in full swing. There were the richest, most sophisticated people of New York in our house drinking and enjoying little snacks. Even Sydney was there with her father though she looked like she would rather be somewhere else. I was walking around looking at all the people. I had a glass of water in my hand that was quickly running out. I always felt uncomfortable at big parties and Jane was nowhere to be found. I went into the empty kitchen to get some breathing room. I started to fill my glass back up.

                “Too many people for ya?” I heard a familiar voice say.

                I dropped my glass in the sink. I turned around to Mush, standing behind me in a nice suit and shoes. “Mush?”

                “Da one and only.”

                I jumped into his arms hugging him tightly. “How did you get in here? Where did you get this suit from?”

                “The tailor owed me a favor. He had a suit ready for me in a few hours. I couldn’t miss out on da big party.”

                “You’re crazy. What if my dad catches you?”

                “I didn’t come here ta see your dad.” He kissed me. I kissed him back putting every feeling I had into his lips. Just then, my father walked in. As soon as he saw Mush, all hell broke loose. He pulled me away from Mush and called the security guards who grabbed Mush, punched him in the face, and started dragging him through the crowd of people and to the door.

                “Leave him alone!” I yelled. I pushed passed my dad and ran after the security guards. The people from the party came to see what all the commotion was about. I pounded on the security guards until they let Mush go and fall to the floor. I knelt down next to him, blood coming out of his nose from the punch. Daddy pushed through the people to get to the front of them to see me. His face was red with anger.

                “Anna, get away from that boy!” he demanded.

                “No!” I screamed, “I’m not doing anything you say anymore. Mush isn’t dangerous. The newsies aren’t dangerous. They’re kids. Kids like me who’ve run into bad luck.”

                “He is a wrecker of society. I will not have you fluttering about with a delinquent.”

                “He’s not a delinquent. I love him. Why can’t you see that? Why can’t you just be happy for me? Mother would have let me do whatever would have made me happy. Since she died, you’ve gone hard, Daddy. You saved the newsies once. Now it’s time to save your daughter.”

                Sydeny came out of the crowd and over to me. She laid a hand on my shoulder. “In all due respect sir, Anna is right. You’re not thinking about what these kids have had to go through. My dad used to be like you. He hated the newsies for besting him and defeating him. He thought they were no good. Now my boyfriend is a newsie and he’s the sweetest and nicest person in the world. They’re just kids, sir.”

                Jane came out of the crowd next. “Daddy, I know you have your image. I know you don’t want people getting the wrong idea about you because of this. But what matters more? Your image or your daughter?”

                The whole room was silent. Daddy was looking around. Everyone was staring at him waiting for his answer. He looked at me. My face was tear stricken as I held Mush’s head in my lap.

                “Perhaps I have been a little bias,” Daddy said, “If this boy went through this much trouble to see you and risked coming here where he knew he was going to get caught, then he must love you. You can be with him. I won’t object.”

                I smiled and Mush sat up to hug me. I let him go and ran to Daddy hugging him tightly. Jane came over and hugged him too. From now on, we would be one big happy family.